The new Mac mini is almost certainly NOT coming

[jpietrzak8]

Actually Apple has already applied for a patent that shows an iPhone being docked into what appears to be a MBP. The iPhone would appear to provide the computing power as well as function as the touchpad.

Absolutely! The question is, though, who in their right mind would ever buy a MBP? While Apple may be pouring resources and effort into their iOS devices, the entire Mac lineup is slowly decaying into meaninglessness. The desktop offerings for Windows and Linux already outpace the Mac lineup by generations; and the laptop offerings are now at least as good. Worse, Windows and Linux are now reaching parity with the usability of macOS, while retaining their own unique advantages.

In short, while it may be getting easier to integrate iOS devices with Mac hardware, it is getting much, much harder to justify purchasing Mac hardware. Making the entire effort kind of pointless.

(And, really, is there a point to this at all? I've been using X-windows for decades now; the whole point of that was to make graphics displays and input devices available over the net. I used to use my Linux desktop as an external display for my Nokia N900, a phone that ran Linux natively. The only reason why you couldn't plug phones into computers and use them as subcomponents before now is that the manufacturer wouldn't allow you to.)

 

[Cape Dave]

Absolutely! The question is, though, who in their right mind would ever buy a MBP? While Apple may be pouring resources and effort into their iOS devices, the entire Mac lineup is slowly decaying into meaninglessness. The desktop offerings for Windows and Linux already outpace the Mac lineup by generations; and the laptop offerings are now at least as good. Worse, Windows and Linux are now reaching parity with the usability of macOS, while retaining their own unique advantages.

In short, while it may be getting easier to integrate iOS devices with Mac hardware, it is getting much, much harder to justify purchasing Mac hardware. Making the entire effort kind of pointless.

(And, really, is there a point to this at all? I've been using X-windows for decades now; the whole point of that was to make graphics displays and input devices available over the net. I used to use my Linux desktop as an external display for my Nokia N900, a phone that ran Linux natively. The only reason why you couldn't plug phones into computers and use them as subcomponents before now is that the manufacturer wouldn't allow you to.)

Truth baby, truth! I love to hear it. In this world of political spin and political "correctness" it is just so good to hear the damn truth for a change.

It really does seem like one hand has NO IDEA what the other hand is doing!

 

[now i see it]

Apple's business plan is to make money. Mac Minis never made them much money. The Mac Mini is dead.

 

[dogslobber]

Absolutely! The question is, though, who in their right mind would ever buy a MBP? While Apple may be pouring resources and effort into their iOS devices, the entire Mac lineup is slowly decaying into meaninglessness. The desktop offerings for Windows and Linux already outpace the Mac lineup by generations; and the laptop offerings are now at least as good. Worse, Windows and Linux are now reaching parity with the usability of macOS, while retaining their own unique advantages.

The last MBP worth it was the 2015 model. The current ones are a bit of a joke but maybe that'll be fixed in the future when they finally get 32GB. Yes, PC laptops are generally cheaper and offer a good solid experience but Win10 would never get my banking details and Linux is still a little quirky on a laptop with external displays.

I generally prefer Mac OS X as it's just a better all-round experience. As I use Linux all day on the server, the OS X tools are still pretty nice. My days of working with Windows are over but it's nice to toy with it now and again.

 

[Cycling Asia]

Apple's business plan is to make money. Mac Minis never made them much money. The Mac Mini is dead.

This is it. While Apple see no value in a 2018 Mac mini, they will keep selling their old 2014 models until sold out. At that point it is good bye to the aluminium box. The future is a locked down iOS based system.

 

[Count Blah]

This is it. While Apple see no value in a 2018 Mac mini, they will keep selling their old 2014 models until sold out. At that point it is good bye to the aluminium box. The future is a locked down iOS based system.

With no way to create apps for iOS

BRILLIANT!

 

[Cycling Asia]

With no way to create apps for iOS

BRILLIANT!

I'm sure Apple will release Xcode for iOS. Perhaps it will be called "iCode"

 

[bopajuice]

Apple's business plan is to make money. Mac Minis never made them much money. The Mac Mini is dead.

When you don't update a product for three years, and before that you downgrade it and make it harder to upgrade, what do you expect? Self inflicted wound maybe?

 

[Crosscreek]

Well if you can live without DRM movies in iTunes you can still put together an inexpensive hackintosh with very little technical capabilities.
Your only other options are a laptop or iMac.
They still hold there value reasonably well and are not a bad investment if you require OS X.
Windows 10 and Linux work fine for me but I still keep my hack updated.

 

[Macintoshrumors]

Apple's business plan is to make money. Mac Minis never made them much money. The Mac Mini is dead.

What buisnesses dont have the businss plan to make money.

 

[alien3dx]

I'm sure Apple will release Xcode for iOS. Perhaps it will be called "iCode"

It call
https://www.apple.com/swift/playgrounds/

 

[dogslobber]

How can you be so sure?

 

[richpjr]

What buisnesses dont have the businss plan to make money.

The question isn't whether they could make money by coming out with a new model Mac Mini, but what is the opportunity cost in doing so. And to further complicate things, they may forsake short term profits to work towards a long term goal (like tablets replacing traditional computers).

 

[sublunar]

The question isn't whether they could make money by coming out with a new model Mac Mini, but what is the opportunity cost in doing so. And to further complicate things, they may forsake short term profits to work towards a long term goal (like tablets replacing traditional computers).

If tablets are going to replace the Mini in the sub $1000 market then the Mini either goes upmarket or gets subsumed into a lower tail for the Modular Mac Pro which prices the range deep into four figures. Assuming we are around a year away from the Modular Mac Pro it all rather depends if Apple want to refresh the Mini for any particular reason or just keep the 2014 limping along like the 2013 'new' Mac Pro is going to have to do for another year.

 

[Partron22]

Keyboard, mouse, finger pencil replacement: Researchers develop device that can 'hear' your internal voice
This is why Apple is waiting on the new mini. They want a revolutionary input method.

There are better articles on this device than the one I found today.
I can think of lots of ways to use and abuse such a device should it actually be real.
I'd certainly wear it whenever I logged into Facebook.
Fortunately they've yet to develop a version which you can point at another person to listen in on their internal dialog.

 

[richpjr]

If tablets are going to replace the Mini in the sub $1000 market then the Mini either goes upmarket or gets subsumed into a lower tail for the Modular Mac Pro which prices the range deep into four figures. Assuming we are around a year away from the Modular Mac Pro it all rather depends if Apple want to refresh the Mini for any particular reason or just keep the 2014 limping along like the 2013 'new' Mac Pro is going to have to do for another year.

Or it could just go away. I guess we'll eventually see.

 

[Sam Luis Obispo]

Keyboard, mouse, finger pencil replacement: Researchers develop device that can 'hear' your internal voice
This is why Apple is waiting on the new mini. They want a revolutionary input method.

There are better articles on this device than the one I found today.
I can think of lots of ways to use and abuse such a device should it actually be real.
I'd certainly wear it whenever I logged into Facebook.
Fortunately they've yet to develop a version which you can point at another person to listen in on their internal dialog.

Hypothetically... IF Apple were to bring such a new input method to market, would they introduce it on a Mac Mini?

 

[Partron22]

would they introduce it on a Mac Mini?

Well, sure. So as to boost sales enormously. They could triple the price and make out like bandits for a year or so, until other companies started introducing it. Then just make it a standard feature for all Macs, iPads and phones. I'll bet you could do some funny security things to make your device unlock only to certain "inner voices".
OTOH, you're probably right. Apple would introduce it with their flagship $2000 iPhone, and we'll never see it on a Mac mini, or another Mac mini at all.

 

[krause734]

No rumors in sight. Vague email that the Mini is "important"
Alternatives IMO:
Overpriced iMac: not a fan of all in ones, I like my own speakers and display
Macbook Pro: would have to buy a 2015 to get the one I want (better Keyboard, no Touchbar/Dongles)
Intel NUC or cheap Dell Laptop running Linux Mint < I chose this path and am very happy. Sold both my Minis and haven't looked back.

 

[dirtylilhobo]

I’m beginning to believe that there will NEVER be a new MAC-Mini..

 

[opeter]

I'm sure Apple will release Xcode for iOS. Perhaps it will be called "iCode"

And it can happen, that the will release Xcode for Linux and Windows aswell. Just a matter of time.

 

[dogslobber]

Intel NUC or cheap Dell Laptop running Linux Mint < I chose this path and am very happy. Sold both my Minis and haven't looked back.

I picked up a 7th gen NUC for a nice price and it is a very worthy and capable machine. I've been running Win 10 on it because you don't need to activate Windows anymore as it minimally impacts you. I also ran Linux Mint on the machine and again it was superb. The only thing that needed tuning was the fan via the BIOS to slow it down as it sounds like a vacuum cleaner at high speed.

 

[Appleaker]

If tablets are going to replace the Mini in the sub $1000 market then the Mini either goes upmarket or gets subsumed into a lower tail for the Modular Mac Pro which prices the range deep into four figures. Assuming we are around a year away from the Modular Mac Pro it all rather depends if Apple want to refresh the Mini for any particular reason or just keep the 2014 limping along like the 2013 'new' Mac Pro is going to have to do for another year.

They won't.... in both cases. I've said it previously in this thread and a Ming Chi Kuo report came out saying it too. There will be a new mini this year. I understand your point with the new Mac Pro but the chances of them delaying it are very slim. I would say there's a higher chance that they provide a sneak preview of the new Mac Pro this year but personally I think saying it 'shipping today' or at the very least enabling pre-orders straight away is more valuable.

 

[sublunar]

They won't.... in both cases. I've said it previously in this thread and a Ming Chi Kuo report came out saying it too. There will be a new mini this year. I understand your point with the new Mac Pro but the chances of them delaying it are very slim. I would say there's a higher chance that they provide a sneak preview of the new Mac Pro this year but personally I think saying it 'shipping today' or at the very least enabling pre-orders straight away is more valuable.

The logical point here then is that there can be no relation between the Mini and any SKU of the 2019 Pro if they aren't being released at the same time. Mac Pro watchers ought to be very interested in what a 2018 Mini ends up offering because any level of professional competency below $2k suggests the base Pro will be sky high in spec and price when it arrives.

I wouldn't have thought there would be a sneak peak of the 2019 Mini unless purely to imply it'll have such high prices that people really ought to consider buying the all new Mac Mini which is (hopefully) vastly improved in specs, if they were holding out for a 2019 Pro.

 

[Cape Dave]

The logical point here then is that there can be no relation between the Mini and any SKU of the 2019 Pro if they aren't being released at the same time. Mac Pro watchers ought to be very interested in what a 2018 Mini ends up offering because any level of professional competency below $2k suggests the base Pro will be sky high in spec and price when it arrives.

I wouldn't have thought there would be a sneak peak of the 2019 Mini unless purely to imply it'll have such high prices that people really ought to consider buying the all new Mac Mini which is (hopefully) vastly improved in specs, if they were holding out for a 2019 Pro.

The new mini will never ever have a Xeon CPU. So that would be one good deciding factor for "Pro". Will never have best vid card or ECC Ram. It can still be a decent machine without stepping on the toes of the "Pro".

Also, Apple has had PLENTY of time to make a new pro machine, so they COULD, if they wanted to, announce it sooner than 2019. Other lesser companies have iterated an embarrassing amount of times whilst Apple has done Zip, Zero, Nada.